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Page 33
''I do not know."
"Only one day!" "You have barely come!" "It is not enough!" "Please, Ian, please." The chorus was earsplitting.
"If I can" Ian said uncertainly.
"Enough!" Alinor ordered very sharply. "You shame me. One does not plead with a man to turn aside from his duty. Begone!"
"Let me kiss them good night."
"As you will. But they do not deserve it."
He embraced both, one in each arm, as usual. They walked slowly away, drooping dejectedly. Ian started to rise. "Sit!" Alinor hissed, fighting the twitching of her lips. Eventually, feet dragging, they disappeared into the stairwell.
"Let me go up," Ian said. "They are so sad."
Alinor laughed softly. "Ian, they play you like a fish. You are too indulgent. You will spoil them."
"Am I? Will I? But they are such good children, so clever, so beautiful."
"Clever and beautiful, perhaps, but good? They are little hellions." She was laughing fondly. "All that sorrow was for your benefit. Doubtless they are already pummeling each other, throwing the pillows about, and creating general havoc."
Ian smiled. "I hope so. I cannot bear to see them sad." He hesitated.
Before he could bring himself to say what was obviously next, Alinor shook her head. "You do not look much rested," she remarked. "Did you sleep at all?"
"Yes."
"I am about to commit the sin I just scolded my children for," Alinor sighed. "I wish you had a little time to spare us. I am worried about Adam, about Joanna, too, but that is a lesser problem."
"About Adam? But he is the happiest child, and clever, and strong in arms, too."

 
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